Device for Overpacking at Least One Object into a Batch

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for overpacking at least one object using at least one blank of an appropriate material such as carton in order to form a batch. The device of the invention includes at least one carousel including at least one receptacle, and at least three work stations distributed about the carousel, the three stations including a work station with a distribution mechanism for distributing at least one blank of material to the at least one receptacle, a work station with a loading mechanism for loading the at least one object into the receptacle, and a work station with an unloading mechanism for unloading at least one assembled batch, wherein a mechanism for folding and/or closing the blank in order to form the overpacking are also provided.

This invention relates to a device for overpacking at least one object into a batch, in general a plurality of identical objects such as products packaged in cups, bricks, boxes, bottles, bags and other types of packaging.

Numerous products, in particular food products, are most often offered for sale in the form of a batch that consists of either several packaging units that are individualized with respect to one another such as bricks, boxes, or packaging units that are connected to one another two by two or by layer, such as yogurt cups, for example.

This batch is generally overpacked by means of a sheet of material such as cardboard, plastic or any other appropriately shaped material, for example, to surround the products with a tubular envelope that forms an overpacking.

To realize an overpacking of this type, the products are grouped in successive batches which are then transported to an installation in which means are provided that make it possible to place a cardboard blank over each batch, and then to fold and close said blank around a batch in the form of an envelope, for example. the overpacking can also completely cover the batch of objects or can be present over only the upper portion of the objects.

Generally, the device that makes possible the overpacking of a batch of objects is realized in line, which means that the objects arrive on conveyors grouped into successive batches. Once a batch of objects has entered the device, distribution means for the cardboard blank are utilized to deposit a cardboard blank at the level of each batch either from the top or from the bottom. Folding means for the blank are then utilized to form the envelope around the batch, whereby the extremities of the folded blank can be glued, for example. Once the overpacking has been realized, the batch thus packaged can then be transported via conveyors to another packing device, such as a device for placing the batches in cases.

In addition, an overpacking device is most often installed at the extremity of a packaging line of a product. Format changes are generally carried out by automatically modifying the height and grouping (width) parameters when the overpacking is performed in line.

Overpacking devices of this type have major advantages, among other things because they are flexible and make it possible to automatically change the format of the objects and because they operate at a high rate of speed.

Nevertheless, the space required by these devices represents a major disadvantage. Because this device operates in line it requires a great deal of space if it is to be integrated into a product packaging installation.

Moreover, to be able to utilize such overpacking devices, it is essential to be able to transport the objects in the form of batches, whereby each batch includes at least one object, and the batches are spaced in relation to one another so that the batches can be lined up one behind the other so that they can be packaged in succession. It is therefore also important to make available means, generally upstream, that make it possible to create this space between the batches. If this space is not created in a regular and precise manner the overpacking device cannot operate efficiently.

The object of this invention is a device for the overpacking of a batch of objects which requires less space than similar devices of the prior art in line, and which also makes it possible to systematically eliminate the need to separate the successive batches to be packaged.

For this purpose, the object of the invention is a device for the overpacking of at least one object by means of a blank made of appropriate material such as cardboard to form a batch, characterized by the fact that it includes a carousel which has at least one receptacle and at least three work stations distributed around said carousel, said three work stations being comprised of a work station having distribution means for at least one material blank to the at least one receptacle, a work station comprising loading means of said at least one object in said receptacle and a work station comprising means for the unloading of at least one formed batch, whereby folding and/or closing means for the blank to form the overpacking also being provided.

The device claimed by the invention therefore advantageously makes it possible, in an amount of space essentially which limited to the surface area occupied by the carousel, to perform all the operations that make it possible to overpack a batch of objects.

An overpacking can be realized by means of the device claimed by the invention to form a batch comprising at least one object such as a brick, bottle, bag, box, dish, cup or unit of a plurality of cups joined together (such as yogurt cups, for example). This batch most often comprises a plurality of objects arranged in one or more layers.

The carousel very advantageously and preferably comprises at least as many receptacles as there are work stations distributed around the carousel.

The folding means for the blank preferably make it possible to shape the blank for the overpacking and the means for closing said blank make it possible to close said overpacking. These overpacking means can be constituted by gluing or welding means of the blank and/or by means of the engagement of locking elements which are provided on the blank. These means are themselves described in the prior art.

The material blank is appropriately realized as a function of the type of overpacking desired, i.e. an overpacking in the form of a sleeve, an overpacking which is closed on all sides, an overpacking of only the upper portion of the products etc.

These folding and/or closing means can be integrated in particular into the unloading station of at least one batch which has been formed or into the station upstream of the latter station, namely the unloading station of the object or objects into the receptacle or the blank distribution station.

In one variant, the folding means and the closing means of the blank are integrated respectively one into the discharge station of the at least one formed batch and the other into the station upstream of the latter, i.e. the unloading station of the object or objects into the receptacle or the blank distribution station.

In an additional embodiment, the folding means and the closing means of the blank are both located in an additional station which is provided upstream of the discharge station of the batch or batches formed. In that case, the device claimed by the invention advantageously comprises four work stations which are distributed around the carousel.

In one variant, it is possible for the folding means and the closing means of the blank to be provided each on a respective independent work station upstream of the unloading station of the formed batch or batches.

The overpacking device claimed by the invention can also comprise a work station which makes it possible to put in place, e.g. prior to the closing of the blank, an insert such as an advertising insert such as a toy, for example, inside a batch.

The overpacking device claimed by the invention can be advantageously integrated at the output of the primary product packaging line, whereby said object loading work station is positioned at the level of the output of the objects arriving in the form of a layer, in line etc.

In addition, each receptacle is sized so that it can hold at least one batch of objects, whereby the means for loading the product into the receptacle are preferably constituted by means that pick up at least one object from among the objects that are being transported to the device, for example in a layer or in line, which can then be placed into the receptacle. The receptacle preferably accommodates a plurality of batches.

The loading means thereby make it possible to easily constitute batches, for example by placing a first layer of objects and then a second layer of objects.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the blank distribution device constitutes the first work station and the object loading station constitutes the second work station.

An overpacking device claimed by the invention therefore employs an operating cycle as described below.

At the level of the blank distribution station, the blank distribution means comprise folding means that make it possible to take at least one blank from an overpacking material blank storage magazine.

A blank of this type can comprise, for example, a bottom part, two lateral walls and two end sections that can be folded one over the other to lock the overpacking. The blank can also include sections that fold down over the sides to form a completely closed overpacking.

The distribution means are advantageously arranged so that they position this blank at the level of a receptacle so that the bottom section of the blank rests on the bottom of the receptacle and the side walls along the side walls of the receptacle, whereby the end sections project from said receptacle.

Once the blank has been placed in the receptacle, the carousel is placed in rotation to transport the receptacle that contains the blank to the level of the object loading station.

The loading means are preferably arranged so that they pick up at least one unit of objects to be placed on the bottom of the blank constituting either the batch of objects to be overpacked or constituting one layer of the batch of objects to be overpacked. The loading means preferably consist of grasping means which can be lowered toward the objects transported toward the overpacking device, which can then be transported toward the receptacle, where the objects that have been picked up are put down.

These loading means can be constituted by mechanical grasping means, means hat pick up the objects by suction or any other appropriate means.

Once the objects have been placed in the receptacle, the batch is formed by folding the foldable extremities of the blank and by gluing or locking of the sleeve thus formed around the objects from the top.

Once the sleeve has been closed and the batch has been formed, the receptacle then arrives at the batch unloading station. The discharge means of the at least one batch formed are constituted by grasping means which can operate mechanically, by suction or some other manner, making it possible to pick up the batch or batches which have been formed in the receptacle.

These grasping means are therefore arranged to pick up the batches and transport them toward a setup table, from which they can then be transported toward another packaging processing station, for example an appropriate case formation station to package the batches in a case for their storage and/or transport.

In a second embodiment, the station for the loading of the objects into the receptacle constitutes the first work station and the distribution station for the blank therefore makes it possible to place the blank into the receptacle that already contains the objects to be overpacked.

Therefore the blank which can, for example, in the same manner as described above, comprise a bottom section, two side walls and two foldable end sections to close the overpacking is transported folded into a U shape toward the receptacle that contains the objects, the bottom section being positioned over the objects in the receptacle and the side walls and the end sections being engaged along the objects. The folding and closing of the blank from the bottom can then be performed by appropriate folding and closing means.

In this manner of operation of the device, the device advantageously comprises a receptacle which has a bottom and side walls to receive at least one layer of objects. In addition, the bottom comprises at least one articulated section to make possible the folding and the closing of the blank from the bottom.

In one variant, in this mode of operation, the blank can be arranged so that its folding and its closing form an overpacking only in the upper portion of the batch.

In addition, it is possible for the material blank to be placed on top of the objects and locked without folding only to their upper portion, by gluing for example.

The receptacles can advantageously be fixed in an immovable manner to the carousel so that they can be changed easily. It is likewise advantageous to provide sets of receptacles of different dimensions that make it possible to form batches of different objects with distinct types and sizes of overpacking. Likewise, depending on the type of overpacking, the receptacle can have a different shape which allows it to be closed either from the top or from the bottom.

Therefore, to change the type of batches produced, the receptacles on the carousel are changed, along with the blanks in the storage magazine and the commands given to the loading and unloading means, as well as those given to the folding and closing means.

Of course, the device claimed by the invention can have receptacles which are installed in a stationary manner on the carousel.

The invention therefore teaches an overpacking device which makes it possible to overpack objects in batches of various sizes, using different types of overpacking, whereby the device occupies a limited amount of space while achieving satisfactory processing rates.

The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective from above of one exemplary embodiment of an overpacking device claimed by the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in perspective from above of the first two work stations of a device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in perspective from above of the unloading station of a device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective from above of the packaging station at the exit of the device illustrated in FIG. 1.

One exemplary embodiment of the device for the overpacking of batches of objects claimed by the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1.

This device comprises a carousel 1 that includes at least one receptacle 2. In the illustrated embodiment, four receptacles 2 have been provided on said carousel 1.

This carousel 1 can be driven in rotation by appropriate rotational drive means, which are in themselves known, between three work stations which are distributed around said carousel 1.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 2 is sized to allow the simultaneous formation of six batches of objects, each batch being made up of two layers of four joined objects such as yogurt cups, for example.

The first work station is the distribution station for the blank 3 which is made of material that allows the blank to be wrapped around a batch of objects.

This station comprises means 4 for the distribution of six blanks 3 into a receptacle 2. The means for the distribution of the blank 3 comprise unstacking means which make it possible to take the six blanks 3 simultaneously from a storage magazine for overpacking material blanks 3.

Each blank 3 comprises a bottom section, two side walls and two end sections 3 a, 3 b which can be folded one over the other to close the overpacking sleeve around the batch of objects.

The distribution means 4 therefore place the blanks 3 in position at the level of the receptacle 2 so that the bottom portion of the blank 3 rests on the bottom of the receptacle 2, the side walls are oriented along the side walls of the receptacle 2 and the end sections 3 a, 3 b project from said receptacle 2.

Once the blanks 3 have been placed in the receptacle 2, the carousel 1 is driven in rotation to move the receptacle 2 which contains the blanks 3 to the level of the loading station for the objects 6.

This second work station or loading station comprises loading means 5 for the objects 6 into said receptacle 2 to form the batches of objects.

The loading station is therefore generally located at the exit from a first product packaging line which forms the objects 6. In the selected example, these objects are connected into a unit that comprises four objects 6 joined together and the units arrive in a layer on a table in a line of six units.

The loading means 5 are arranged to grasp at least one unit 6 a of objects 6, in this case four cups of yogurt that constitute a layer of the batch of objects 6 to be overpacked. Because the receptacle 2 comprises six blanks 3, the loading means 5 are designed to simultaneously pick up six units 6 a of objects 6. This unit 6 a itself constitutes an object.

These loading means 5 are preferably constituted by pickup means which can be lowered toward the objects 6 which are transported in a layer to the overpacking device and can then be transported toward the receptacle where said objects 6 that have been picked up are then set down.

These loading means 5 can include in particular suction pickup means. Therefore the suction grasping means 5 pick up six units from a line of the layer and then deposit them in the receptacle 2. The pickup means 5 are used twice in succession to form a batch of objects 6 constituted by two layers of units 6 a.

Once the objects 6 have been deposited in the receptacle, the batch is formed by folding the foldable extremities 3 a and 3 b of the blank 3 and gluing said extremities 3 a, 3 b to form the sleeve around the objects. The folding and gluing means are not shown in the figures for purposes of clarity and can constitute a fourth work station which is interposed between the object loading station and the unloading station for the batches that have been formed.

Once the sleeves have been closed and thus the six batches of objects have been formed in the receptacle 2, the receptacle 2 finally arrives at the batch unloading station. The unloading means for the batches formed are constituted by suction pickup means 7 which make it possible to pick up the six batches formed in the receptacle 2.

The unloading means 7 are designed so that they can pick up the batches in the receptacle 2 and extract them from it, and transport them to a table 6 on which they are placed in the form of a line of six batches, whereby this table 8 is designed to then transport them to a batch packing station, such as a station where they can be packed into cases or boxes, for example.

This casing station comprises means for the distribution of a blank 10 to form a case 11 as well as means to fold said blank 10 to form the case 11. Means for the grouping of the batches that have been formed are also provided to form groups of batches for their placement in the cases 11, as well as pickup means which make it possible to pick up the groups of batches formed so that they can be deposited in the cases 11. These grouping and pickup means can be grouped together as illustrated by 9.

Once the receptacle is empty, the carousel 1 transports it back toward the station for the distribution of the blanks 3 for a new overpacking cycle.

The control and regulation of the device (speed of movement, trajectory etc.) are preferably realized by appropriate electronic control means.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples described above, but also includes the variants described in the claims. 

1-14. (canceled)
 15. A device for overpacking of at least one object using a blank to form a batch, wherein said device comprises a carousel which comprises at least one receptacle and at least three work stations distributed around said carousel, said three stations being comprised of a work station which comprises a distribution mechanism for at least one blank of material toward the at least one receptacle, a work station which comprises a mechanism for loading said at least one object into said receptacle and a work station which comprises an unloading mechanism for the at least one batch formed, and a mechanism for folding and/or closing the blank to form the overpacking.
 16. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the carousel comprises at least as many receptacles as there are work stations distributed around said carousel.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein each receptacle is sized so that it can hold at least one batch of objects.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein each receptacle is removably affixed to the carousel.
 19. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the distribution mechanism for the blank comprises an unstacking mechanism which makes it possible to take at least one blank from a magazine for the storage of overpacking material blanks to deliver the blank to the receptacle.
 20. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the loading mechanism of the receptacle with objects is comprised of a mechanism for picking up at least one object among the objects delivered to the overpacking device, which can then be driven toward the receptacle where said at least one object that has been picked up is set down.
 21. The device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the loading mechanism is preferably designed so that the loading mechanism can pick up at least one unit of object to be deposited in the receptacle, comprised of either the batch of objects to be overpacked or comprised of a layer of objects to be overpacked.
 22. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the unloading mechanism of the at least one batch formed includes a grasping mechanism which makes it possible to pick up the batch or batches formed in the receptacle and to remove the batch or batches toward another processing station of the packaging line.
 23. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein each receptacle is shaped so that it has a bottom and at least side walls, and the distribution station for the blank which has at least a bottom section, side walls and two end sections which can be folded one over the other, is placed upstream of the loading station for the objects, the distribution mechanism also being arranged so that the distribution mechanism deposits this blank at the level of the receptacle so that the bottom section of the blank rests on the bottom of the receptacle, the side walls of the blank run along the side walls of the receptacle, and the end sections of the blank project from said receptacle.
 24. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the folding mechanism and the mechanism for the closing of the blank are all integrated into the unloading station of the at least one batch found, or into the station upstream of the unloading station, or the blanks distribution station.
 25. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the folding mechanism and the mechanism for the closing of the blank are integrated respectively one into the unloading station of the batch or batches formed, and the other in the station upstream of the unloading station or the blanks distribution station.
 26. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the folding mechanism and/or the closing mechanism of the blank are provided together in an additional station which is provided upstream of the unloading station of the batch or batches formed.
 27. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the folding mechanism and/or the mechanism for the closing of the blank are provided respectively each in an independent work station upstream of the unloading station of the batch or batches formed.
 28. The device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the device also comprises a work station that makes it possible to deposit an insert inside at least one batch. 